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A brewery owner described the Wales alcohol ban as « catastrophic » for the industry when he poured 325 kegs of beer down the sewer.
Richard Anstee, the executive director of Glamorgan Brewing Company, based in Llantrisant, said the company had no choice but to dump the beer in Welsh pubs after the alcohol ban.
The devastated businessman began to dispose of all the barrels that were due to be delivered to 600 Welsh pubs on time for December.
Hundreds of kegs have been opened with countless pints of beer that spilled on the floor before going down the sewer.
Mr Anstee stated that the brewery started planning for Christmas back in August and that due to an announcement by the Welsh government earlier this week, around 30. 000 or 40. 000 pints would be thrown away.
He said, « It’s disastrous. It’s our busiest month of the year and this is where we take all of our money to get us through the quieter months of January and February and it’s going to just kill every single Welsh brewer out there.
« We have planned Christmas for the last three to four months. This is not something that we can turn off and on again. So if we move hundreds and hundreds of kegs of beer just four days in advance, it just killed us.
« In pints are 15. 000 pints in each container so we’re probably going to be 30. 000 or 40. 000 pints going.
« We will try to sell some through our little brewery shop, but we have planned and prepared for the month of December so we have literally hundreds of kegs ready for any pubs in Wales that will. « most likely they’ll go down the drain because they all have expiration dates.
« Last December we turned over £ 1. 4 million. This year we’re lucky enough to be 50. To have £ 000 in our shop. So it’s huge how much money we’re going to lose. «
Pubs and bars have described the devastating effects of the alcohol ban on their businesses, but the problem extends further down the supply chain.
Richard described the ban as « utterly disastrous » for the industry, which hits what is usually the busiest trading month of the year.
The brewery supplies 600 pubs across Wales including Bar 44 and Obspoons, which have already announced they will be closing.
« When it comes to Christmas, we start planning in September and start brewing from October through November.
« One of our problems is, which is usually a good problem, that we have one of the best selling Christmas beers in Wales. We have 325 kegs of beer waiting to go to pubs that are no longer needed.
« All of these stocks have expiration dates. We’re going to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds of stock.
Richard’s father founded the brewery 26 years ago and not only does he brew their own products, he also has brewing contracts with Molson Coors, Heinekin and Budweiser.
The company has five trucks and 15 vans that are currently parked. Richard said they will be there for the next month and have nowhere to go.
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« It’s disastrous, we did everything right, we supported the lockdown, the fire safety, and this came three weeks later with no data to show why it was the hospitality industry that needed these restrictions. «
One of the problems with preparing pubs before Christmas is that once the beer is in a keg it cannot be used for other products.
Richard said he spoke to supermarket suppliers this week who plan to increase alcohol orders by 25%. However, this does not compensate for inventory that cannot be reused.
The brewery has a small shop on site and will try to pack some in 2-4 pint bottles, but that won’t be enough.
He stated that the financial blow will be staggering for the company, which also has its own pub that will close on Friday.
« Last year December sales were £ 1. 4m, this year we will be lucky enough to be 50. To earn £ 000.
« We support everything they say, all health measures, but they don’t show us any evidence or data.
« What we are doing now is just a home delivery service. People can pick up the phone and order on the phone, otherwise there’s not much we can do. «
Wales, Brewing, Beer, Alcohol, Welsh Government
World News – UK – Pub liquor ban leaves the brewery 40th. Pour 000 pints down the drain
Ref: https://www.walesonline.co.uk
